Category Archives: Galaxy S3 Update

If you are using the International 3G version of Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) we have bad news for you. Samsung has officially stated that international Exynos-based Galaxy S3 or the 3G version will not getupdate the Android 4.4 Kit-Kat.

Samsung said that the memory requirements of the Galaxy S3 does not work well if it runs on Android 4.4 Kit-Kat.

In order to facilitate an effective upgrade on the Google platform, various hardware performances such as the memory (RAM, ROM, etc.), multi-tasking capabilities, and display must meet certain technical expectations. The Galaxy S3 and S3 mini 3G versions come equipped with 1GB RAM, which does not allow them to effectively support the platform upgrade.

As a result of the Galaxy S3 and S3 mini 3G versions’ hardware limitation, they cannot effectively support the platform upgrade while continuing to provide the best consumer experience. Samsung has decided not to roll-out the KitKat upgrade to Galaxy S3 and S3 mini 3G versions, and the KitKat upgrade will be available to the Galaxy S3 LTE version as the device’s 2GB RAM is enough to support the platform upgrade.

Samsung’s statement that 1 GB RAM is insufficient to effectively run KitKat is curious considering that many other devices run the OS on 1GB or less of RAM; Samsung’s own Galaxy Ace Style, launched earlier this year runs Android 4.4.2 on just 512MB. However it’s worth mentioning that the GS3’s RAM has to accommodate not only the barebones OS, but all of Samsung’s flagship-level software features too.

As per Samsung’s statement, this restriction shouldn’t affect the Qualcomm Snapdragon-based U.S. Galaxy S3s, which also carry 2GB of RAM. Sprint’s LTE variant of the Galaxy S III made the switch to KitKat earlier this month.